DYESS, AQUILLA JAMES - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Birth: 11 January 1909, Augusta, Ga. Appointed from: Georgia. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion,
24th Marines (Rein), 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces during the assault on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands,
1 and 2 February 1944. Undaunted by severe fire from automatic Japanese
weapons, Lt. Col. Dyess launched a powerful final attack on the second
day of the assault, unhesitatingly posting himself between the opposing
lines to point out objectives and avenues of approach and personally leading
the advancing troops. Alert, and determined to quicken the pace of the
offensive against increased enemy fire, he was constantly at the head of
advance units, inspiring his men to push forward until the Japanese had
been driven back to a small center of resistance and victory assured. While
standing on the parapet of an antitank trench directing a group of infantry
in a flanking attack against the last enemy position, Lt. Col. Dyess was
killed by a burst of enemy machinegun fire. His daring and forceful leadership
and his valiant fighting spirit in the face of terrific opposition were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
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